Declan Rice has developed into one of the Premier League's most complete midfielders, according to analysts Kelly Cates and Micah Richards — but pundit Danny Murphy believes the Arsenal man is leaving goals on the table by not backing himself enough in front of goal.

The debate followed Arsenal's narrow 1-0 victory over Liverpool, a result that underlined how central Rice has become to the Gunners' engine room. Cates and Richards were full of praise for the midfielder's all-round contributions, highlighting his ability to control tempo, win the ball back, and drive play forward.

Murphy, however, offered a different perspective. The former midfielder argued that Rice's selfless nature, while admirable, costs him goals that a more instinctive finisher would take. In Murphy's view, a greater willingness to shoot — rather than look for a team-mate — would see Rice add more to his scoring tally.

Rice has long been regarded as a defensive-minded midfielder, but his move to Arsenal has seen him take on a broader role. His performances this season have drawn widespread admiration, with many observers crediting him as one of the key reasons behind the club's strong Premier League campaign.

The 1-0 win over Liverpool further cemented Arsenal's standing as genuine title contenders, and Rice's influence across the pitch was again on display. Whether he chooses to be more selfish in front of goal — as Murphy suggests — remains to be seen, but there is little debate about his importance to this Arsenal side.